You may be tempted to take out a 30-year home loan for the short-term gains - such as smaller repayments or a bigger bond - but before going this route, give some thought to the potential long-term losses.

With heavy rains expected in the next few weeks, Metrorail went to the high court on Friday in a bid to halt construction work on an Amanzimtoti shopping centre which, the passenger rail agency says, is threatening the crucial rail link between the city and its southern areas.

There are many misconceptions about the use of tenants' rental deposits for repairs or maintenance to rental properties, says Dianne Brock, general manager of the Institute of Estate Agents, Western Cape.